Mapping Colonization Impact

Unit: Colonization: Cultures and Consequences

Lesson 2 of 6

Duration: 30 minutes

Grade: 7th Grade

Students: 25

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7: Analyze the content of historical maps to interpret the effects of colonization on geography and indigenous territories.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1: Cite specific textual and visual evidence to support analysis of primary source maps.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1: Engage effectively in collaborative discussions by interpreting visual information and articulating the impact of colonization on different regions.

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Materials Needed

• Copies of two historical maps:
  1. Pre-colonial North America (circa 1600) showing indigenous territories
  2. Early colonial settlements of European powers (~1700)
• Projector or smartboard to display maps digitally
• “Mapping Change” worksheet (with guided questions and space for notes)
• Colored pencils/markers
• Chart paper for group work
• Sticky notes

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Lesson Flow

1. Hook & Activate Prior Knowledge (5 minutes)

• Start with a brief, engaging question:
  “What do you think a map can tell us about how people lived in the past?”
• Show a modern map and then a quick flash of a historical map.
• Ask students to briefly share what differences they notice or expect when looking at old maps related to colonization.

Purpose: To engage curiosity and set context for mapping change.

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2. Mini-Direct Instruction: Understanding Historical Maps (5 minutes)

• Project the pre-colonial North America map; briefly explain the significance of indigenous land distributions and names.
• Then project the colonial settlements map.
• Highlight differences: new settlements, changed borders, renamed places.
• Explain how colonization physically changed the geography and land ownership.

Focus CCSS Standards: RH.6-8.7 & RH.6-8.1
Note: Use age-appropriate language, avoiding jargon.

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3. Guided Practice: Mapping Change Analysis (10 minutes)

• Distribute “Mapping Change” worksheets and maps to students in pairs.
• Worksheet sections:
  • Identify key differences between the two maps.
  • Circle or highlight areas affected by European colonization.
  • Describe in a few sentences what happened to indigenous lands.
• Teacher circulates, scaffolding understanding, and prompting deeper thinking with questions such as:
  • “What caused these changes?”
  • “How might indigenous peoples have been affected by the arrival of Europeans?”

Active Collaboration & CCSS: SL.7.1 (conversation and evidence citation).

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4. Think-Pair-Share Discussion (7 minutes)

• Students share their findings with a neighboring pair.
• Prompt discussion questions on chart paper for whole group reflection:
  • What do these maps tell us about the consequences of colonization?
  • How did colonization change both the land and the people who lived there?
• Select 3-4 pairs to share insights aloud. Write key ideas on the board.

This encourages reflective conversation and reinforces evidence-based discussion.

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5. Exit Ticket: Quick Reflection (3 minutes)

• On a sticky note, students write:
  • One way colonization changed geography
  • One question they still have about colonization’s impact
• Collect sticky notes as students leave to inform next lessons.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through paired worksheet responses and class discussion participation.
• Exit ticket provides insight into student understanding and questions for next lessons.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Provide maps with clear legends and color-coding for students needing visual support.
• Allow students to use highlighted notes or sentence starters on worksheets.
• Encourage verbal discussions for English Language Learners to build confidence before writing.

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Reflection for Teachers

• Were students able to cite specific map evidence to support their observations?
• Did the Think-Pair-Share allow quieter students to engage?
• Use exit tickets to adjust upcoming lessons on colonization impact and consequences.

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Standards Alignment Summary

Standard	Description
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7	Integrate visual information (maps) with textual info in history.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1	Cite textual and visual evidence to support analysis.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1	Engage effectively in collaborative discussions with evidence.

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End of Lesson